Just recently I was helping my Mother go through some boxes to tidy up and I found a box of old books.  These books had been passed down in the family and I don’t remember seeing them before.  There was an old photo album and a few Bibles/religious books.  It was difficult to read them as they are in German. (I don’t speak or read German).  I found that some Birth dates of my Grandmother and her siblings had been written in one of the books.  (Dating back to the early 1900’s)  This was an extraordinary find.

There was also another find.  A poem. I am not sure who wrote it, but I believe it was based on the Bible verse Isaiah 43:2 NIV

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

It is such a beautiful poem that I just had to share it.  Continue reading, to see and embrace these wonderful words

When Thou Passeth Through The Waters – Isa 43:2W

Is there any heart discouraged
As it journeys on its way?
Foes, there seem to be more darkness
Than there is a sunny day?
Oh, it’s hard to learn the lesson
As we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow
Serve alike the will of God;
But there comes a world of promise,
Like the promise in the bow –
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When the flesh is worn and weary,
And the spirit is depressed,
And temptations sweep upon it,
Like a storm on ocean’s breast,
There’s a haven ever open
For the tempest driven bird;
There’s a shelter for the tempted
In the promise of the word;
For the standard of the spirit
Shall be raised against the foe,
And however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When a sorrow comes upon you
That no other soul can share,
And the burden seems too heavy
For the human heart to bear;
There is One whose grace can comfort,
If you’ll give Him an abode;
There’s a burden-bearer ready
If you’ll trust Him with your load;
For the precious promise reaches
To the depths of human woe,
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When the sands of time are ebbing,
And I know that death is near,
When I’m passing through to the valley,
And the way seems dark and drear,
I will reach my hand to Jesus,
In His bosom I shall hide,
And ‘twill only be a moment
Till I reach the other side;
It is then the fullest meaning
Of the promise I shall know:

“When thou passeth through the waters,
They shall never overflow.”

This is possibly from “Open Window” by Dr Amos R Wells.  Please let me know if you know more information about the origins of this poem.

If you are interested in having this poem on your wall, either in black and white or as a foil print, please leave a comment below and I will be in touch.